The publisher's appearance was a little disconcerting. He looked as
if he had been fattened on popular fiction; and his fat was full of
optimistic creases. The Professor seemed to see him bowing into his
office a long train of spotless heroines laden with the maiden
tribute of the hundredth thousand volume.

Nevertheless, his welcome was reassuring. He did not disown his
early enormities, and capped his visitor's tentative allusions by
such flagrant references to the past that the Professor produced his
manuscript without a scruple.

"What--you don't mean to say you've been doing something in our
line?"

The Professor smiled. "You publish scientific books sometimes, don't
you?"

The publisher's optimistic creases relaxed a little. "H'm--it all
depends--I'm afraid you're a little _too_ scientific for us. We have
a big sale for scientific breakfast foods, but not for the
concentrated essences. In your case, of course, I should be
delighted to stretch a point; but in your own interest I ought to
tell you that perhaps one of the educational houses would do you
better."

The Professor leaned back, still smiling luxuriously.

"Well, look it over--I rather think you'll take it."

"Oh, we'll _take_ it, as I say; but the terms might not--"